Latest news with #BobVylan
Yahoo
14 hours ago
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
Calls to ban Bob Vylan from Boardmasters
Hundreds of people have called upon Cornwall councillors to ban a controversial punk-rap duo from appearing at the Boardmasters festival. Bob Vylan sparked controversy after leading anti-Israeli military chants at Glastonbury Festival during a televised performance in June. Cornwall Council agreed to hold a licensing hearing following a public complaint, but not until after the band has appeared at the Newquay event on 10 August. It has since received almost 300 complaints in a "concerted campaign", says councillor Dulcie Tudor, with many understood to have come from outside the county. A Boardmasters spokesperson said the festival did not "tolerate hate speech" or "incitement to violence". Ms Tudor added: "It's more than the most-controversial planning application." Despite pressure on the council to bring the licensing hearing forward, it said it was unable to do so because of licensing hearing regulations, including a 20-day consultation period. Councillor Leigh Frost, the council leader, said he would respond to every person who had contacted him, to thank them for "raising concerns" and would invite them to contribute to the licence review. What happened at Glastonbury? Bob Vylan were appearing on one of Glastonbury's main stages, the West Holts Stage, on the afternoon of Saturday, 28 June. The London-based band led audience chants of "death, death to the IDF [Israel Defence Forces]" and made other derogatory comments during their Glastonbury performance, as well as making other highly critical comments about the situation in the region and about Zionism. It led to questions in Parliament, condemnation from the prime minister, and a public apology from the BBC, which said it should have cut the television feed. The band has also had their US visas revoked and other tour dates cancelled. Dr Ed Abrahamson, who made the original complaint to the council, said Bob Vylan had been "cancelled by every single festival worldwide, by their own agents and they are under active investigation by the UK anti-terrorist force". He asked the council to intervene to revoke the band's right to perform. Dr Abrahamson said: "Or are we going to see young Cornish people exposed and encouraged to join in with murderous chants?" More news stories for Cornwall Listen to the latest news for Cornwall According to the council's licensing department, the only organisation with the power to intervene is Devon and Cornwall Police. However, the force has previously said decisions about who performs at the festival are down to the festival's organisers. A police spokesperson said: "Our priority is the safety of those attending, those working at the event and the local communities, and we will take proportionate action in relation to reported crimes or incidents. "We look forward to welcoming Boardmasters back to Cornwall in August." A Boardmasters spokesperson said the festival did not "tolerate hate speech, incitement to violence or behaviour that puts anyone at risk". "Boardmasters is committed to being a space where people from all backgrounds feel welcome and safe," they said. The festival said its decision to proceed with the performance reflected "a balance of factors". "We have been clear with the band and their representatives about our expectations," the spokesperson said. Following the Glastonbury controversy, Bob Vylan said they had been "targeted for speaking up". An Instagram post said: "We are not for the death of Jews, Arabs or any other race or group of people. We are for the dismantling of a violent military machine. "We are a distraction from the story and whatever sanctions we receive will be a distraction." Other artists have come out in support of the band, including Massive Attack and Brian Eno, claiming they have been subjected to "aggressive, vexatious campaigns" by pro-Israel advocates. Follow BBC Cornwall on X, Facebook and Instagram. Send your story ideas to spotlight@ More on this story Bob Vylan: Who are the controversial rap-punk duo? BBC senior staff told to 'step back' from duties following row Bob Vylan dropped from Manchester music festival Bob Vylan coverage should have been pulled, BBC says Council investigating Boardmasters crowd surges Related internet links Cornwall Council Solve the daily Crossword
BBC News
14 hours ago
- Entertainment
- BBC News
Calls to ban Bob Vylan from Boardmasters festival in Newquay
Hundreds of people have called upon Cornwall councillors to ban a controversial punk-rap duo from appearing at the Boardmasters Vylan sparked controversy after leading anti-Israeli military chants at Glastonbury Festival during a televised performance in Council agreed to hold a licensing hearing following a public complaint, but not until after the band has appeared at the Newquay event on 10 August. It has since received almost 300 complaints in a "concerted campaign", says councillor Dulcie Tudor, with many understood to have come from outside the county.A Boardmasters spokesperson said the festival did not "tolerate hate speech" or "incitement to violence". Ms Tudor added: "It's more than the most-controversial planning application."Despite pressure on the council to bring the licensing hearing forward, it said it was unable to do so because of licensing hearing regulations, including a 20-day consultation Leigh Frost, the council leader, said he would respond to every person who had contacted him, to thank them for "raising concerns" and would invite them to contribute to the licence review. What happened at Glastonbury? Bob Vylan were appearing on one of Glastonbury's main stages, the West Holts Stage, on the afternoon of Saturday, 28 London-based band led audience chants of "death, death to the IDF [Israel Defence Forces]" and made other derogatory comments during their Glastonbury performance, as well as making other highly critical comments about the situation in the region and about led to questions in Parliament, condemnation from the prime minister, and a public apology from the BBC, which said it should have cut the television band has also had their US visas revoked and other tour dates Ed Abrahamson, who made the original complaint to the council, said Bob Vylan had been "cancelled by every single festival worldwide, by their own agents and they are under active investigation by the UK anti-terrorist force".He asked the council to intervene to revoke the band's right to Abrahamson said: "Or are we going to see young Cornish people exposed and encouraged to join in with murderous chants?" According to the council's licensing department, the only organisation with the power to intervene is Devon and Cornwall Police. However, the force has previously said decisions about who performs at the festival are down to the festival's organisers.A police spokesperson said: "Our priority is the safety of those attending, those working at the event and the local communities, and we will take proportionate action in relation to reported crimes or incidents."We look forward to welcoming Boardmasters back to Cornwall in August." A Boardmasters spokesperson said the festival did not "tolerate hate speech, incitement to violence or behaviour that puts anyone at risk"."Boardmasters is committed to being a space where people from all backgrounds feel welcome and safe," they festival said its decision to proceed with the performance reflected "a balance of factors"."We have been clear with the band and their representatives about our expectations," the spokesperson the Glastonbury controversy, Bob Vylan said they had been "targeted for speaking up". An Instagram post said: "We are not for the death of Jews, Arabs or any other race or group of people. We are for the dismantling of a violent military machine. "We are a distraction from the story and whatever sanctions we receive will be a distraction."Other artists have come out in support of the band, including Massive Attack and Brian Eno, claiming they have been subjected to "aggressive, vexatious campaigns" by pro-Israel advocates.
Express Tribune
a day ago
- Politics
- Express Tribune
Kneecap cleared in Glastonbury set probe
British police will not take any action against Irish rap group Kneecap following an investigation into comments made by its members during a performance at the Glastonbury music festival last month, reports Reuters. The force had launched a criminal investigation into gigs by Kneecap as well as punk-rap duo Bob Vylan, which took place one after another at Glastonbury's West Holts stage on day four of the June 25-29 festival. In May, a member of Kneecap was charged with a terrorism offence for allegedly displaying a flag of Hezbollah, a group proscribed as a terrorist organisation in Britain. He denies the offence. At Glastonbury, the Belfast-based group led chanting against Prime Minister Keir Starmer while Bob Vylan's set included chants of "death to the IDF," a reference to the Israeli military. Avon and Somerset Police said in a statement on Friday that they decided to drop the investigation after consulting the Crown Prosecution Service. "After that advice, we have made the decision to take no further action on the grounds that there is insufficient evidence to provide a realistic prospect of conviction for any offence," their statement said. Police said enquiries were still ongoing over the Bob Vylan set. In a measured yet very bold and clear response on social media, the punk duo explained that their position was not about the death of any group of people, but rather the dismantling of what they described as "a violent military machine." "We are not for the death of Jews, Arabs, or any other race or group of people," Bob Vylan wrote, emphasising that they oppose the actions of the Israel Defence Forces (IDF), which they claim uses excessive force against innocent civilians. The band explained their use of the term "dismantling" rather than "death" when referring to the IDF, highlighting their focus on the military's role in the ongoing destruction in Gaza.
ITV News
a day ago
- Entertainment
- ITV News
Boardmasters confirm Bob Vylan will appear despite campaign for the group to be banned
Organisers of the Boardmasters festival insist Bob Vylan will remain part of their line up despite a growing campaign calling for the group to be banned. Hundreds of people have written to Cornwall Council, the licencing authority for the festival, asking them to stop the band from taking to the stage. The band hit the headlines when they chanted 'death to the IDF [Israel Defence Forces]' during a televised appearance at Glastonbury festival. In a statement to ITV West Country, the festival organisers confirmed that the band will still be appearing on the main stage. The statement said: 'Following productive meetings with Devon & Cornwall Police and relevant partners from our Safety Advisory Group, we now have an agreed plan in place that ensures the event continues to meet the highest standards of safety, compliance, and community accountability. 'Boardmasters is committed to being a space where people from all backgrounds feel welcome and safe. We do not tolerate hate speech, incitement to violence, or behaviour that puts anyone at risk, and we will continue to uphold these principles throughout the event and beyond. 'Our decision to proceed with the performance reflects a balance of factors, including the festival's careful consideration of recent concerns, our ongoing dialogue with stakeholders, and the band's agreement to the terms of their participation. 'We have been clear with the band and their representatives about our expectations particularly the importance of maintaining a respectful and safe environment for everyone attending, working at, or involved in the festival. 'Boardmasters remains focused on delivering a safe, respectful, and well-managed event.' The council is due to hold a licensing hearing after a member of the public wrote to the authority on July 16 demanding a review of the festival in light of the band's appearance. However, due to legal timeframes the hearing won't be held until after the festival takes place. Dr Ed Abrahamson said in his submission to the council: 'I'm writing to urge that you review the licence for Boardmasters in terms of conditionality regarding the stepping down of Bob Vylan. 'As you will see, they have now been cancelled by every single festival worldwide, by their own agents and they are under active investigation by the UK anti-terrorist force. 'As it stands, the sole venue that is platforming them globally is going to be Boardmasters at Newquay [the band announced three September dates in the Netherlands on the same day Dr Abrahamson wrote to the council]. You are the licence holders for this event.' Councillors on Cornwall Council are understood to have been inundated with emails from members of the public asking them to intervene. Cllr Dulcie Tudor said: 'It's got to be the most concerted campaign I've seen since being on the council. It's more than the most controversial planning application.' Council leader Cllr Leigh Frost has said he will respond to every person who has contacted him on this issue with the following statement: 'Thank you for raising your concerns regarding this year's Boardmasters festival. Cornwall Council has received an application to review the event's premises licence. You may wish to add your views to the current licence review. 'This can be done by emailing licensing@ You may also do so by writing to the Licensing Team, Cornwall Council, New County Hall, Truro TR1 3AY. Within your representation please state how you feel the current licence compromises the licensing objectives. Please ensure that representations are received by the Licensing Team by August 7, 2025. 'Cornwall Council will proceed with the review in line with the national legislation and guidance. You may also wish to raise your concerns directly with Devon and Cornwall Police.' Despite pressure on the council to bring the licensing hearing forward before next month's Boardmasters, it is unable to do so due to licensing hearing regulations. There are specific time periods from the point when the application is made and accepted to when a hearing has to take place. That time period includes a 20 working days consultation period with police, environmental health, health and safety, planning enforcement and children's services. That means it will fall after Bob Vylan have performed. According to the council's licensing department, the only organisation that has the power to intervene is Devon and Cornwall Police. However, the force has previously stated that decisions about who performs at the festival are down to the Boardmasters organisers and not Devon and Cornwall Police.
L'Orient-Le Jour
2 days ago
- Entertainment
- L'Orient-Le Jour
Scuffle on stage at London opera as performer unfurls Palestinian flag
London's Royal Opera House on Sunday condemned as "wholly inappropriate" the actions of a performer who held up a Palestinian flag onstage at the end of a performance. Video footage posted online shows a brief scuffle at the edge of the stage as a figure dressed in a shirt and tie unsuccessfully attempts to stop the performer. The incident in the British capital on Saturday during the curtain call came on the closing night of an 11-night run of Il Trovatore, a four-act opera by Giuseppe Verdi. "Extraordinary scenes at the Royal Opera House tonight," a person who claimed to have been in the audience posted on X. "During the curtain call for Il Trovatore one of the background artists came on stage waving a Palestine flag. Just stood there, no bowing or shouting. Someone off stage kept trying to take it off him. Incredible." A spokesperson for the Royal Ballet and Opera in London's Covent Garden said the "display of the flag was an unauthorised action by the artist". The incident comes after numerous artists including Kneecap, Bob Vylan, Wolf Alice, and Amyl and The Sniffers offered messages of support for people in Gaza at this year's Glastonbury festival. Police are still investigating duo Bob Vylan, whose frontman led a chant against the Israeli army at the festival. Kneecap's Liam O'Hanna, known by his stage name Mo Chara, has also been charged with a "terror" offence over alleged support for banned organisations Hamas and Hezbollah in connection with an earlier performance.
